What's on your bench?

[jacktheripper]

Two updates:

The 288xp seems to be running pretty good now. I installed a different crank, new bearings, and a Meteor piston kit.

The 254 case is assembled, and top end is installed. I snagged a beautiful tank/handle, OEM piston kit, clutch parts, and half wrap from @JohnnyBlade. Hoping to get it running tomorrow!

 

[Sloughfoot]

You're a little quicker at these things than me.

 

[jacktheripper]

You're a little quicker at these things than me.

Well, your name isn’t “fastfoot” lol

 

[Sloughfoot]

Well, your name isn’t “fastfoot” lol

I take my time and do it wrong.

 

[Partner]

This is how you gain experience

 

[heimannm]

Mark

 

[59billy]

I take my time and do it wrong.

If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing again!

 

[Partner]

Better

 

[hacskaroly]

Is that a McCulloch made cylinder on the Porter Cable or just a similar style from the same era?

 

[heimannm]

I have not investigated the Porter Cable saw very much so I am not sure who built the engine. The styling of the cylinder and fits is certainly reminiscent of the engine design on the Reed Prentice saws (McCulloch built engines) but I think many cylinder designs from the era looked very similar..

Mark

 

[jacktheripper]

The 254 runs! Still waiting on some parts though: clutch cover, bar plate, tensioner, switch block off plate, screws, and choke lever. I’ll probably order decals too.

 

[jacktheripper]

Time to do the 394 cases. Look at that chain rash… I’ll probably drill the end of the crack and smear some JB weld on it.

 

[Partner]

Chain too big

 

[jacktheripper]

 

[legdelimber]

Chain too big

That or lots of knocking it off while limbing with a worn out bar?

 

[heimannm]

As they say in a Mel Brookes movie..."It's alive!"





Evidently someone lost or damaged the original air filter so they came up with a very creative alternative.



I don't think it has the correct H needle in the carburetor as I have it turned fully CW and it still seems to be pretty rich but it does run and idle, manual oiler works (after I got the lines installed correctly), and our adapted bar adjust screw works like the original to tension the chain.

According to Mike Acres site this Porter Cable 534 is a 1958 5.78 In3 / 95cc model.

After a little internet research I discovered this one is missing a top shroud so if anyone has a shed full of these old saws I could use one...



We were able to get it going without the aid of the operating instructions.

Mark

 

[Sloughfoot]

As they say in a Mel Brookes movie..."It's alive!"

View attachment 466590

View attachment 466591

Evidently some lost or damaged the original air filter so they came up with a very creative alternative.

View attachment 466592

I don't think it has the correct H needle in the carburetor as I have it turned fully CW and it still seems to be pretty rich but it does run and idle, manual oiler works (after I got the lines installed correctly), and our adapted bar adjust screw works like the original to tension the chain.

According to Mike Acres site this Porter Cable 534 is a 1958 5.78 In3 / 95cc model.

After a little internet research I discovered this one is missing a top shroud so if anyone has a shed full of these old saws I could use one...

View attachment 466593

We were able to get it going without the aid of the operating instructions.

Mark

 

[legdelimber]

On the Porter-Cable, Is that bailing twine wrapped around the filter core?
If so, I can't imagine it allowing sufficient air flow to let it run well much beyond idle air flow needs.
Just for giggles, have ya tried to run and tune the saw without that filter element?

Maybe color the mixture needle tip with bluing or a contrasting color of sharpie, then gently screw in and touch bottom of the hole to see if it rubs off the coloring? Make sure it touches evenly, all the way around the tip and not some skippy uneven pattern.
Might help to decide if the screw is the right one for the carburetor?

Just me spitballing from the couch, so take my ideas for whatever worth they may have.

 

[heimannm]

I've run it with and without the air filter and you cannot detect any difference in performance. Perhaps one day I will look through an assortment of Tillotson HL carburetors and see if I can find a longer needle to test. Had that same thing happen on a Homelite that someone brought in a few weeks ago and we were able to take the H needle from another saw and make it run properly.

Mark

 

[jacktheripper]

394 cases and top end are assembled, passed vac and pressure test. But I had to use some moto seal around the clutch side crank seal, because there was a small scratch in the sealing surface of the case. Got my parts in from @Shane¹. Looking forward to getting this thing running.

I should add, the ring gap on the rings that were on the carcass could have been measured with a ruler. It was something like 1/4 inch. I don’t know how the saw even ran. It is very evident that this saw was very very used. If it could think, it would probably be thinking, “Why do I have to do this all over again? Please, just spare me and let me die.” But here comes round two for the old girl.